Discussion » Questions » Politics » President Trump said that Israel is a sovereign nation and has the right, like any other sovereign nation, to determine it's own capital.
Stu Spelling Bee

President Trump said that Israel is a sovereign nation and has the right, like any other sovereign nation, to determine it's own capital.

Putting aside your feelings about the man who said this, do you agree or disagree? Bear in mind that Jerusalem is home to 10% of Israel's population (60% Jewish and 35% Muslim) and has been the seat of its government since David Ben-Gurion was Prime Minister in 1949. It is where Parliament sits, the Prime Minister lives, and most government agencies are located. 

The Palestinian refusal to accept Israel for what it is and what it has become has been the greatest hindrance to peace, and even the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has urged the Palestinian Authority's president to sign a peace deal that Israel likes. 

What are your thoughts?

Posted - December 8, 2017
Tags : None

Responses


  • 5614
    The creation of Israel in 1948 by the United Nations is problematic if not seen as an act of God but as an act of men. Does its reestablishment follow scripture? This post was edited by O-uknow at December 8, 2017 12:21 AM MST
      December 8, 2017 12:19 AM MST
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  • 13259
    It doesn't need to follow scripture as it is a political state, not a religious one. It's only problematic nearly 70 years later for those who wish to believe it is, like (apparently) you and the Palestinians. How is it any more problematic than the creation of any other nation, and for whom? The vast majority of the world's nations, including Arab ones such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have no problem with it and recognize its sovereignty.
      December 8, 2017 8:46 AM MST
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  • Israel has always considered its capital to be Jerusalem. It's not what Israel determines, but what the rest of the world recognizes that's important. And since what the U.S. thinks matters more than what any other nation thinks (sorry Brits), we have an inordinate amount of sway over how other nations view Israel's capital. I don't agree with Trump's decision to recognize it because the conflict is far from over. The Israelis need to work with the Palestinians over the status of Jerusalem. Trump's pronouncement will fan the flames of violence (and it already has begun to do so). 
      December 8, 2017 12:34 AM MST
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  • 13259
    Actually, you have it turned around. Considering that Israel, not Palestine, is the sovereign nation, it's up to the Palestinians to work with the Israelis - something they've never shown a willingness to do. And given their history of denying Israel's right to exist and trying to destroy it, it's hard to see that happening. The flames of violence have been raging for many years, so "fanning" them won't produce any noticeable difference. You need to recognize that Israel isn't always the bad guy.
      December 8, 2017 11:44 AM MST
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  • Well stated Stu. Once a dam has been broken, a teacup full of water doesn't make much difference.
      December 8, 2017 12:14 PM MST
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  • 13259
    Thank you.
      December 8, 2017 12:30 PM MST
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  • 32692
    Agree 100%. 
      December 8, 2017 4:31 AM MST
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  • 5391
    That the Israeli national government operates all if its branches out of Jerusalem makes it a capital city, by definition, regardless of who recognizes what. Trump merely stated the obvious. 
    The ever-pitiful Palestinians will never agree to get along, pressed by their vile, backward religion, and as far as I can tell will remain a pariah state until that changes.

    Personally I could give a dam* what any of the in-fighting Arab states think about any of this politically, they are in a desperate need to get their own houses in order, lest they take another Isreali A**whooping like they did back in ‘67. This post was edited by Don Barzini at December 8, 2017 11:20 AM MST
      December 8, 2017 5:25 AM MST
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  • 32692
    Something we agree on. :)
      December 8, 2017 5:34 AM MST
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  • 5391
    Memories of that butt kicking 50 years ago is what prevents the Arabs from mounting any organized offensive against Israel now
      December 8, 2017 5:39 AM MST
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  • 19942
    The Palestinians will never live in peace with the Israelis.  If the Palestinians could, they would drive every Israeli off the face of the earth at which point, they would take over everything the Israelis built and destroy it until they were living like the cave men they are.  When Israel gave back land in the West Bank, there were orange groves and other groves that were not only food producing, but revenue producing and the Palestinians could have taken them over and lifted themselves up economically.  But no, the Palestinians burnt down every single grove and edifice and all that was left was ash.
      December 8, 2017 9:22 AM MST
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  • 17401
    I agree with you.  And, Donny is right.   This post was edited by Thriftymaid at December 8, 2017 9:24 PM MST
      December 8, 2017 9:23 PM MST
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  • 52951


    (its)

    No apostrophe



      December 8, 2017 10:02 PM MST
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